AMERICA | In an inspiring celebration of perseverance, love, and legacy, 53-year-old Quila Lee and her three daughters all graduated from Georgia State University, United States, on the same day.
Quila, a seventh-grade teacher at G.P. Babb Middle School in Clayton County, earned her Master of Arts in Teaching. Her eldest daughter, Rakiya, received a Master’s in Public Administration, while the twin daughters, Kamiya and Kalaya, graduated with bachelor’s degrees in Biology.
The journey to that moment had been decades in the making. In 2003, Quila was already working toward a Master’s in Public Administration when she discovered she was pregnant with the twins.
The unexpected turn could have halted her graduate studies, but with the support of her community, she stayed the course.
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Looking back on that time, she could hardly have imagined the full-circle moment she now gets to experience.
“Twenty-two years ago, you never could have told me these girls and I would be graduating together,” Quila told Georgia State University Magazine. “As any mother would be, I am so proud of them,” she added.
For Kamiya and Kalaya, the twins who have always shared life’s major moments, graduating together is nothing new, but doing it alongside their mother added a whole new layer of pride and emotion.
The twins plan to continue their studies in medical school, with Kamiya aspiring to become a gynecologist and Kalaya aiming for a career in veterinary medicine. Rakiya, who completed her Master’s in Public Administration, described the experience as surreal.
“It’s a big deal to graduate with your sisters, but it’s something even more special to do it with your mom,” she said. “She’s the glue of our family, for sure, and she just keeps being the trailblazer. And I’m gonna follow behind her,” Rakiya added.
Quila reflected on her past graduation when she held her infant daughters in her arms. More than two decades later, she now finds herself preparing to walk the stage beside them.
“I remember the day they were born, and I remember them being a part of my graduation,” she said. “Now I get to be a part of theirs.” Although Quila admits she is more excited about her daughters’ achievements than her own, her daughters attributed their success to her.
“I think my mom is the best. I think she’s a great role model. And I thank God that he gave me my mom… and allowed me to have somebody like her to look up to and to aspire to be like,” Kamiya said through tears.
When asked how it felt to hear her daughters speak about her that way, Quila reflected on the journey till the moment.
“I was really touched. Oftentimes, you don’t know the impact you’re having on your child. You hope you’re empowering the best part of yourself in them. You hope you’re parenting the best you can, knowing no child comes with instructions,” she said.
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